Soundscape walking tour.

Abstract

As part of the American Institute of Architects, San Francisco Chapter’s Architecture Festival, Dennis Paoletti led a walking tour through downtown, experiencing the City’s sights and sounds. Participants learned about environmental noise parameters and the importance of criteria for indoor and exterior spaces. They learned how sound is evaluated in the acoustical community. A brief introduction to the basics of acoustics was presented at the SMW office before the group toured downtown. Real life environmental noise conditions were experienced including where and how to achieve a level of calm and quiet within the hectic din of the City’s soundscape environment. Stories about architectural acoustics were illustrated from the many local buildings that Dennis had consulted on. Additionally, the group occasionally stepped into a building where Dennis illustrated some practical examples of the acoustical parameters and criteria previously discussed. Paoletti was interviewed on public radio and asked to repeat the Soundscape Walking Tour for the City Guides, a group of volunteers who lead tours throughout San Francisco. One of the representative comments received: “Thank you for leading the Soundscape Walking Tour; all of us “heard” a version of the City we had never encountered before.”